Managing Stress Like Jesus: Know What Matters Most
By Rick Warren
“As the time drew near for his return to heaven, he moved steadily onward toward Jerusalem with an iron will” (Luke 9:51 TLB).
You and I tend to get distracted by trivial things.
I’ve found in my years as a pastor that if Satan can’t get you to be bad, he’ll get you to be busy.
And this causes us more stress than we can imagine. In the last few days, I’ve been sharing with you seven principles of stress-free living from the life of Jesus.
The first three principles were:
- Identification: Know who you are
- Motivation: Know whose approval you are living for
- Vocation: Know your calling
Jesus’ fourth principle of stress-free living is concentration. You must know what matters most.
Jesus was a master of concentration. He focused like a laser on what the Father wanted him to do.
When light is defused, it has no power at all. But light that’s focused has enormous power. Take the sun as an example. On its own, the light won’t harm grass. But if you focus its light with a magnifying glass, you can burn that grass.
Focus light even more and it becomes a laser—and a laser can cut through steel and kill cancer.
If you want your life to matter, focus it.
Jesus showed us this in Luke 9:51: “As the time drew near for his return to heaven, he moved steadily onward toward Jerusalem with an iron will” (TLB).
Jerusalem was where the cross was. Jesus knew that was where God wanted him. Nothing would keep him from it.
You have enormous spiritual power that will only be unlocked if you decide what’s most important to you. You can focus on either what will last for eternity or what is temporary. It’s your choice.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:23, “Someone may say, ‘I’m allowed to do anything,’ but not everything is helpful. I’m allowed to do anything, but not everything encourages growth” (GW).
You’re free to do anything, but not everything will be helpful. If you don’t concentrate your life on what matters most, you’ll stress yourself out over what matters least.
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Preparing Your Heart for Christmas Calendar and Booklet
Request our brand-new Christmas resource for THIS WEEK ONLY!
The weeks leading up to Christmas are so full of excitement and preparation that December can be kind of a blur. Before you know it, you’ve missed the true meaning of Christmas.
That’s why Pastor Rick created the Preparing Your Heart for Christmas calendar and devotional.
This two-part resource includes a calendar with a special door for every day of December that opens to reveal an inspirational word and Bible verse. Use it with the companion daily devotional guide to help you and your family draw closer to Jesus and prepare your heart for the real celebration.
This brand-new resource is our gift to thank you for your donation to share the hope of Jesus for THIS WEEK ONLY. So act now to be sure to get yours by December 1!
Preparing Your Heart for Christmas can help you spend the holidays . . .
• Worshipping instead of worrying
• Slowing down and reconnecting with God
• Expressing gratitude for the true meaning of the season
Don’t wait! Give a gift by November 12 and request your copy of the Preparing Your Heart for Christmas calendar and devotional for yourself or as a special gift for someone you love.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
